From Roger Altizer,
Your Guide to PlayStation Games.
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Due to drop in the very near future, PS3 System Software Update Version 2.20 is going to not only further enhance PSP connectivity, but offer users a bevy of new Blu-ray features.

Sony's PS3 software update, 2.20, will add Blu-ray Disc (BD) Profile 2.0, also known as BD-LIVE, to it's list of features. BD-LIVE grants the ability to use interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. BD-LIVE is being touted as offering PS3 users the "ultimate interactive film experience." In addition to BD-LIVE, the system software update will enable photo and music playlists on a PS3 to be copied to the PSP(PlayStation Portable), among other new features.

It should be noted that BD-LIVE requires an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. Movies with BD-LIVE are scheduled for release next month. BD-LIVE essentially allows additional content, related to the disc, to be downloaded.

Sony has spoken about the following features that have been demonstrated to be possible with BD-LIVE. It will be up to the individual publishers to determine which features they use on which Blu-ray titles.

• A variety of downloadable content, including bonus scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones, images, and more.
• Interactive movie-based games can pit players who are sitting in the same room, or are across the world and online, against each other.

According to Sony, the 2.20 system software update revamps the relationship between the PS3 and PSP, enabling you to copy your music and photo playlists to your PSP. This new functionality makes it easer than ever to share media content between the two systems.

The following list of features will also be included in the system software update:

• “Resume play” will enable PS3 to start playing a BD and DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.*1
• “Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
• PS3’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view speed will be improved.
• DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
• “Mosquito Noise Reduction” will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.*2

*1 BD-J format disc is not supported.
*2 BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

PS3 2.20 is further proof that not only is the PS3 the only Blu-ray playing game console, but it is also shaping up to be one heck of a media center.